Maldives Customs Service confiscated over 8.5 million illicit cigarettes during a special operation at Malé’s Commercial Harbour on Sunday.
According to Customs, officers inspected a shipment declared as “general cargo” and uncovered a massive stash of hidden cigarettes inside. In total, 8,527,480 cigarette sticks were seized and taken into customs custody.
advertisement
advertisement
The seizure comes as law enforcement continues to clamp down on illicit tobacco trade following a major security breach last year. In October 2025, police arrested four individuals, including prominent businessman Mohamed Waheed and Lotus owner Ahmed Arif, alongside senior officials in connection with the disappearance of over 13 million confiscated cigarettes stored at the Hulhumale’ port facility.
The case also saw six Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) staff suspended, alongside suspensions handed down to senior officials at Customs and Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO). Authorities revealed that two 40-foot containers packed with seized cigarettes had been illicitly removed by sea after CCTV cameras were covered to evade detection.
Authorities confirmed that this newly intercepted 8.5 million cigarette shipment remains in custody, with a full investigation into the current smuggling attempt actively underway.
ކަނޑުމަގުން ރާއްޖެއަށް ސިއްރުން އެތެރެކުރަން އުޅުނު 8 މިލިއަނަށްވުރެ ގިނަ ސިނގިރޭޓް ކަސްޓަމްސްއިން އަތުލައިގެންފި. pic.twitter.com/tmOsG3SdIE— Maldives Customs Service (@CustomsMv) September 29, 2026
